My brother in elfin garb plays Vanna White for the spread at my sister’s house
My most vivid memory of this holiday is sitting back from a pile of opened presents on my sister’s living room floor. Beams of sunlight are slanted through the picture window and match the smiles on everyone’s faces.
My brother-in-law punctuated the moment, “Oh my God. Look… Everyone’s (slight pause) … happy.”
No one replied, save for the slightly glazed and twinkling expressions. We were indeed happy.
Hours later, the party disbanded. I loaded up my loot and headed over to Heather’s parents house.
It was a surprise visit, and I hadn’t been there in over a year. Her parent’s are a kind, whacky, eccentric duo from a sitcom that never was. I sat at the kitchen island and joined in the eye-rolling banter over holiday meal preparation.
When it came time to decide what to do with the artichoke dip ingredients, I stepped up to figure out the food processor. After a countless (ok, seven) seven attempts, we met with success.
Went back to Heather’s place, quick-cleaned the living room and hung out with Dave and some friends watching Super Troopers 
and enjoyed more good tidings.
Today, I have a few more things to wrap up, but what I really want to do is assemble a K’nex Ferris Wheel.